1.What are some false gospels that you have come to hear about Jesus? Have you come to believed any of them?
2.Can you identify areas in your life where you consider Jesus as an optional resource?
3.Do you personally know Jesus? or Do you know about Him only?
How does it impact you to know that there are men and women with such different backgrounds in Paul’s Band of Brothers?
Where in your life do you want to see an “open door for the word?” Over the next 6 weeks, ask the Father everyday for that open door. Let's see what happens!
When you pray, what do you ask for? Track this for one week. Then take one week to focus on “keeping the Lord before you.” Then share with a friend any ways you would change what you ask God for.
Make a list of moments in your life when you are around people who don’t believe in Jesus. Set a reminder for those times to remind you to pray and ask God for the Holy Spirit in those moments.
1-Husbands and wives talk about what is the hardship of living Col 3:18. Why is it so hard for you to live as this passage says?
2-Parents talk to each other about ways you have "provoked your children". you'll be able to identify this by looking for ways that you have discouraged them. Ask God for help together as parents.
3-Talk about your hearts motivation for why you might work hard at your job. Is it for God or for another reason? Talk about those heart motivations and the benefit of working for the lord and not for man.
To check out the works by Nate & Sharon that Erik references, just click on the pictures above or use this link.
1. What are the things that Paul is telling us to put on in Colossians 3:12-17?
2. Why is Paul telling us to put those things on?
3. Of the things Paul tells us to put on which do you want to grow in and why is it a challenge for you?
4. What is it that you are refusing to let go of that keeps stuck in sinful patterns.
5. What do you plan to do in order to mature in how you treat others?
Of the list of things that Paul says to put to death, which three do you struggle the most/least with? Explain your answer.
Culturally, which parts of your cultural heritage help/hinder you in living for the Kingdom of God? Explain your answer.
What issue(s) of your heart do you most long for Jesus to touch and change? Ask a friend to pray for you about these issues.
1. Would the people who live nearest to you characterize you as a complaining person or a thankful person?
2. When you look at your world, do you find yourself celebrating God's common grace?
3. Do you view yourself as one who has been constantly short-changed and or do you view yourself as one who has been unfairly showered with blessings?
4. Do you choose to focus your communication on what is broken and wrong or do you tend to communicate what is beautiful and good?
5. What is your tendency? In your relationships, are you encouraging friends and family to continue their grumbling or are you encouraging friends and family to find reasons to give thanks to God?
6. What is your tendency? In your relationships, do you find yourself frequently tearing others down or do you find yourself frequently building others up?
7. What is your plan to cultivate the discipline that Paul calls Thanksgiving?
Please set aside at least 10 minutes this week as a household to have an honest talk about what God spoke to you in the sermon today.
1.We are called to lay aside every weight and sin. Over the next week or two take 1-3 hours to get alone with God. Ask God to reveal to you the weights and sins in your life that would hinder you from running well. Write them all down and create a plan with the Lord to change those things.
2. When you think about the cloud of witnesses and Jesus cheering you on in your race, how does that make you feel?
3. How can you let the truth that you play a crucial part in God's plan for redeeming all things impact the way you live everyday?
1. If Jesus has such a high view of what we can become in Him, why do we consistently keep selling ourselves short? Name 2 ways you sell yourself short.
2, Are there any areas of your life that are either off limits, or have not be submitted (surrendered) to the Lordship authority of Jesus Christ? What are they, and why are they off limits?
1. Which of the two “bookshelf” illustrations do you identify the most? Why?
2. Can you think of a moment when following Jesus brought joy to you?
3. What is a current area in your life where you find it difficult to follow Jesus? And which of the three obstacles considered today may be preventing you from following him?
Micah’s view of God was to demonstrate religious effort to gain access to God so that God would do what Micah wanted. Can you see that in the religious culture around us? In what ways have you see that in your life?
Chapter 18 opens with the statement that there was no king in Israel. In the story of Micah and the Danites, what is the indication that there is no King?
C.S. Lewis used the phrase 'men without chests'. A man or person without a chest is a person that operates from their head (reason) and their gut (appetites). They are strategic in their thinking, but what ultimately drives them is their appetite. Their chest would be the place of identifying what they worship, coming under authority and ordering their values. The result is saying no to certain appetites at certain times. So, how is your chest? Is it healthy? What are the areas of your life that are driven more by your gut (appetite) than the chest and the voice of God?
Examine your heart for God. Would you say your heart is alive, numb, or mostly dead toward God? Explain your answer to a trusted friend.
In Samson’s life we see many sinful issues: pride, lust, anger, vengeance, complacency, rejection of God’s call. Are any of these causing your heart to drift from God? If so, make this a matter of repentance and process. Ask God to realign your heart so you rely on Him and live from a heart aligned with the will of God for your life.
In Judges 14, we find the people of Israel very comfortable among the Philistines. In what ways does the story indicate that Samson and Israel have assimilated into Philistine culture, that they are no longer distinct as God’s people?
Why is assimilation into culture so attractive to God’s people? In what ways have you felt that pressure in your own life?
In the story of Samson, what does God do for his people who have assimilated into the culture of the Philistines? In what ways has God worked in your life to rescue you from being assimilated into a culture that is against God?
There are many things Samson did that were empowered by the Holy Spirit, yet his life was filled with compromise. What is the warning you receive from Samson’s life?
What’s one way you would want God to use your life to shape the next generation? Write it down and share it with a trusted friend. Commit to pray over this for 1 year.
What ‘good things’ in your life can you set aside to devote yourself to God? Name them and setup an accountability relationship to help you.
What are the leadership tests in front of you?
In what ways have you said yes to following God into those leadership tests and in what ways have you given your glory to another?
What causes you to lose sight of God?
What are patterns in your life that need to be broken?
Why do you think that second generation, the one after Joshua’s generation was so lost?
Discuss areas in your life where you can identify the reality of both the unconditional and a conditional aspect of God’s promises?
In what ways have you seen or experienced sinful or fallen maleness and sinful femaleness?
In what ways have you participated in or felt a desire to live out your maleness or femaleness in sinful ways?
Write down an issue in your life that involves suffering or frustration. How can this situation increase your hope in the resurrection?
What truth about heaven and the resurrection did you find most interesting? Email that to one of the pastors.
In what way can you see your current life affected by your belief in heaven and resurrection? Share this with a trusted friend.
Talk about your level of certainty regarding heaven and resurrection. In what way can you see your current life affected by your belief in heaven and resurrection?
We all have questions about heaven and resurrection. Talk about your questions. Make a list and come prepared next weekend to see what questions get answered.
Based on today’s teaching what are two significant things that we miss when we do not employ our spiritual gifts?
Share a story of a time when God used you to bless another person as you followed Jesus using your spiritual gifts.
Prayerfully consider talking to another person, this week, about any obstacles you face when thinking about using or when using your spiritual gifts.
According to the teaching this morning in what way DID the arrival of Jesus bring peace on earth?
According to the teaching this morning in what way WILL Jesus bring even more peace?
What can you do to grow in your awareness and experience of the peace that Jesus offers?
Talk together about the times and situations where you are most tempted to become self-focused and selfish. If necessary, ask each other for forgiveness and pray for each other.
Talk together about people in your life who might be in need of a selfless act of kindness from you — make plans for what you can do for them over this week leading to Christmas.
What are some things you were hoping God would do for you? Commit to making these things a daily prayer list. Try matching these desires with specific Scriptures.
Pick one day a week to fast during Advent - feel what hunger feels like. Do you long for God like you long for food ?
Carve out a 15 minute block one a week to be in silence with God. Ask Him to speak to you, and just listen for Him in your heart.
Faith Steps
What are some things you were hoping God would do for you? Commit to making these things a daily prayer list. Try matching these desires with specific Scriptures.
Pick one day a week to fast during Advent - feel what hunger feels like. Do you long for God like you long for food ?
Carve out a 15 minute block one a week to be in silence with God. Ask Him to speak to you, and just listen for Him in your heart.
Faith Steps
What are some things you were hoping God would do for you? Commit to making these things a daily prayer list. Try matching these desires with specific Scriptures.
Pick one day a week to fast during Advent - feel what hunger feels like. Do you long for God like you long for food ?
Carve out a 15 minute block once a week to be in silence with God. Ask Him to speak to you, and just listen for Him in your heart.
